VW Brings Diesel Mild-Hybrid Concept to Shanghai

13 October 2004

VW brought two concept cars to Shanghai for the Challenge Bibendum, along with two production vehicles running biodiesel.

The Golf ECO.Power appears to be a diesel mild-hybrid, combining a 1.4-liter, 76 kW (102 hp) three-cylinder diesel engine with a 15 kW (20 hp) electric engine. I say “appears” because I can’t yet get full details on the vehicle. The Golf ECO.Power, which is equipped with a stop-start function, consumes an average of only 3.8 liters of diesel fuel per 100 kilometres (62 mpg).

VW has not been an aggressive proponent of full hybrid vehicles, preferring to look to enhancements in combustion engine technologies using biofuels as a bridge to hydrogen. The fuel economy enhancements of the mild hybrid technologies may prove irresistable, however, as a means to maintaining low fuel consumption while adding on more emissions treatments and driver amenities. (Earlier post on VW and hybrids here.)

VW also announced it would research and develop fuel cell vehicles in China in partnership with the University of Tongji in Shanghai.